Waiting for the new arrival can seem eons long for some moms-to-be, a wait broken up by traipsing to the obstetrician and decorating the nursery. The expectant mom could use a few gifts as treats and a baby shower might even feature “pregnant mom gifts” rather than gifts for the baby.

Fashion Gifts

Trying to find outfits for the pregnant lady could be an overwhelming task. However, there are plenty of one-size-fits-all fashion gifts that might be just right for jazzing up a mom-to-be’s wardrobe. Depending on the season, pick out scarves to add warmth to a winter coat or panache to the plainest outfit. You might consider a pair of earrings with a new mom theme, like dangling babies or booties. Maternity t-shirts with clever sayings are another choice or you could have one printed with the due date prominently displayed, providing an answer to the inevitable question before people even ask it.

Bookish Gifts

Books about pregnancy and childbirth are something expectant women usually buy for themselves, but going beyond that, lots of other reading may interest and inspire moms-to-be. Pregnant and fit make a good match; two books for helping women achieve that goal are “Iyengar Yoga for Motherhood: Safe Practice for Expectant & New Mothers,” by Greeta S. Iyengar and Rita Keller, and “Buff Moms-to-Be: The Complete Guide to Fitness for Expectant Mothers,” by Sue Fleming. “Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother’s Soul,” by Jack Canfield and others provides waiting-for-baby inspiration. “Pregnancy Day by Day: The Expectant Mother’s Journal,” by Shelia Kitzinger provides questions to think about and a place to record thoughts.

Feeling Pretty Gifts

Feeling pretty while pregnant isn’t that hard, especially with a little help from family and friends who want to pamper the expectant mom. Think about presenting a gift certificate for a new hairdo, a manicure or a pedicure at a cool salon. Stock a makeup case with a variety of lipsticks and other items and give the mom-to-be an opportunity to experiment with a new look. Scented lotions for hands and feet are another useful choice.

Entertaining Gifts

Soon the mom-to-be will barely have time to notice there’s a DVD player in the house, so give her a chance to enjoy movies while she can. Funny old movies with a baby theme like “Bringing Up Baby” with Katherine Hepburn or “Baby Boom” with Diane Keaton could provide an evening’s entertainment. Or, a book of movie coupons for the local theater will give her a chance to see the latest flicks, before going out for the evening means finding a sitter.

The Getaway Gift

Assuming if cost weren’t an issue, what could be a more perfect gift for the expectant mom (and future dad) than a getaway — something they might not have a chance to do for many a moon. Actually, these little vacations are sometimes called “babymoons.” Early in the pregnancy, the possibilities for a trip or a cruise are unlimited; later on, just one night in a nearby luxury hotel would do the trick. Sending flowers to the room would be a nice added touch.